Cavalryman Heads Nad Al Sheba Charge

Time/Date - 21.40hrs local time/Saturday, February 28, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Meydan/UAE
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 6f

Cavalryman and Ahzeemah go for a second victory in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy Empowered By IPIC, with Excellent Result also running in the 14-furlong turf contest at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, February 28.

Nine-year-old Cavalryman (Saeed bin Suroor/William Buick), a Group One winner over 12 furlongs, broke the course record with an impressive five and a half-length success over Star Empire in this race 12 months ago.

The Halling horse was fourth on his latest appearance in the Group Two Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Stakes over an extended two miles at York, UK, on August 22 and gained a pair of superb wins at Group Two level.

Cavalryman enjoyed a neck victory over Ahzeemah in the two-mile Artemis Goodwood Cup at Goodwood on July 31 and scored by the same margin in the Princess of Wales's Boylesports.com Stakes over 12 furlongs at Newmarket on July 10.

Ahzeemah (Saeed bin Suroor/Harry Bentley) had a neck success in the 2013 Nad Al Sheba Trophy. On his return to action this year, he was second, beaten three quarters of a length by Famous Kid, in a turf handicap over the same course and distance on February 5.

The Dubawi six-year-old also won the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Stakes in 2013 and was runner-up in the Group One GAIN Irish St Leger over 14 furlongs at the Curragh, Ireland, in the same year.

Five-year-old Excellent Result (Saeed bin Suroor/Dane O'Neill) has had two starts in 12-furlong turf handicaps at Meydan so far this year, finishing third behind Songcraft on February 12 and coming home a close fifth to Al Saham on January 22.

The son of Shamardal beat Songcraft by a head in the Group Two Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored By Emirates Skycargo, also over 12 furlongs at Meydan, in March, 2014, and took a 14-furlong handicap on turf the previous month.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: "Cavalryman is making his first start of the year and he looks to be in good form at the moment.

"I am happy with his work - his last two pieces went very nicely - and he won this race last year, although I expect him to improve for the run.

"Ahzeemah was runner-up last time and came out of that race in good order. He looks happy, well and likes this distance.

"Excellent Result has run two good races so far this year and is improving with every start. He has won over this trip before and is in good form."

The three Godolphin runners meet eight rivals including four-time Group One winner Meandre, Star Empire and Listed scorer Rio Tigre.
Godolphin has been successful in all four runnings of the Nad Al Sheba Trophy, with Claremont (2011) and Fox Hunt (2012) also victorious.